The PA has turned the Palestinian mother of five murderers of Israelis into a role model. Last month Islam Abu Hmeid murdered an Israeli soldier and joined his 4 brothers who are serving multiple life sentences in prison

After the latest murder, PA officials honored the mother with visits, praising her as “a crown on all of our heads” and a “fighter” from whom “we draw our determination and our strength.”

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The cumulative payments from the PA to the sons and mother of this terrorist family through May 2018 amount to $1,007,611 (3,493,800 shekels).

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In May 2018 alone, the PA paid the family $9,920 (34,400 shekels)

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PA Chairman Abbas has met with and endorsed the mother as role model twice in the past year.

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In 2011, the PA chose the terrorists’ mother to lead the PA’s campaign for statehood at the UN

By Maurice Hirsch and Itamar Marcus

Last month, Palestinian terrorist Islam Abu Hmeid threw a marble block from a roof killing Israeli staff sergeant Ronen Lyubarsky. The murderer, who has confessed to the crime, will be indicted this Thursday (July 5, 2018).

In prison, Islam Abu Hmeid will be joining four of his brothers who are serving multiple life sentences for murder and involvement in terror attacks. A fifth brother who was also involved in murder was killed while being arrested, and honored as a so-called “Martyr” by the PA.

Since the PA pays salaries to all the terrorist prisoners, the fact that the Abu Hmeid family has four sons serving life sentences, and one son who died “a Martyr,” has been a source of considerable income for the family. The cumulative payments from the PA to the sons and mother of this terrorist family, through May 2018, amount to $1,007,611 (3,493,800 shekels).

The following are the names and crimes of the Abu Hmeid family’s other sons and the salaries they have received since being arrested through May 2018 (The current salaries are based on total length of time in prison which in some cases includes previous arrests as well):

Nasser Abu Hmeid was a commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades (Fatah's military wing) in Ramallah and is serving 7 life sentences for murdering 7 Israeli civilians and 12 attempted murders. The PA has paid him $251,917 (921,500 shekels). His current salary is 10,000 shekels/month.

Nasr Abu Hmeid was a member of Tanzim (Fatah terror faction) and is serving 5 life sentences for involvement in two terror attacks. The PA has paid him $261,578 (907,000 shekels). His current salary is 8,000 shekels/month.

Sharif Abu Hmeid was a member of one of his brothers' units that carried out terror attacks and is serving 4 life sentences for accompanying a suicide bomber to his attack in March 2002. The PA has paid him $253,590 (879,300 shekels). His current salary is 8,000 shekels/month.

Muhammad Abu Hmeid is serving 2 life sentences and 30 years for involvement in terror attacks. The PA has paid him $178,115 (617,600 shekels). His current salary is 7,000 shekels/month.

In addition to the salaries paid to the terrorist prisoners, the PA also pays monthly allowances to the families of “Martyrs.” An additional son murdered an Israeli and was subsequently killed while Israeli police attempted to arrest him. The PA pays Latifa Abu Hmeid an additional 1400 shekels a month as the mother of a “Martyr.”

As of May 2018, the PA has paid the Abu Hmeid family at least $51,738 (179,400 shekels) since the “Martyrdom-death” of murderer Abd Al-Mun'im Abu Hmeid in May 1994.

In the month of May 2018 alone, the PA paid the Abu Hmeid family $9,920 (34,400 shekels), as rewards for the terror attacks carried out by Abu Hmeid’s children.

Just one month prior to Islam Abu Hmeid’s attack, PA Chairman Abbas hosted the murderer’s mother, Latifa Abu Hmeid, who is also known as "Khansa of Palestine," - a name that refers to the woman Al-Khansa from early Islam, who sent her four sons to battle and rejoiced when they all died as Martyrs.

After the arrest of the murderer of staff sergeant Ronen Lyubarsky, Abu Hmeid was again honored by the PA. She was visited by Fatah Central Committee member Abbas Zaki who praised her as the mother “who paid the price of the homeland with the sacrifices her heroic sons made from a young age.” He continued that she “gave away her heroic Martyr son Abd Al-Mun’im (i.e., terrorist, murdered one) in 1994.” Finally he said, “this mother is a crown on all of our heads,” and “she is an example of the Palestinian mother, before whose willpower and determination we bow.” [Facebook page of Fatah Central Committee member Abbas Zaki, June 17, 2018]

Abu Hmeid also received specific praise from Ramallah District Governor Laila Ghannam and official PA TV. PA official Ghannam posted pictures of herself and Abu Hmeid visiting released terrorists.

Governor of Ramallah Laila Ghannam with Abu Hmeid

Posted Text: "[District Governor of Ramallah and El-Bireh] Dr. Laila Ghannam, and at her side a group of released prisoners from the Balata refugee camp, during their visit to the Palestinian Al-Khansa Um Nasser Abu Hmeid. [The meeting was held] in order to emphasize that the occupation, try as it will to break the will power of our prisoners' families, will not succeed in breaking their determination."

[Facebook page of District Governor of Ramallah and El-Bireh Laila Ghannam, June 11, 2018]

PA TV documented another meeting between District Governor Ghannam and Abu Hmeid. In the meeting, Ghannam praised the mother of the terrorist murderers:

“We are always with this fighter, from whom we draw our determination and our strength.”

[Official PA TV, Holiday Morning, June 18, 2018]

PA TV’s reporter also praised Abu Hmeid, saying “she is a role model for every Palestinian woman”:

Abu Hmeid’s special standing in the PA is not new. In 2011, the PA chose Abu Hmeid as the person to launch their statehood campaign with the UN. In a widely publicized event, the PA had Abu Hmeid lead the procession to the UN offices in Ramallah, handing over a letter for the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

In March 2015, in recognition of International Women's day, PA Parliament Member and Director of the PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake honored Abu Hmeid in a special ceremony, presenting her with a rose and a plaque of honor. In March 2016, she was again honored in an event held by the PA-funded Prisoners’ Club, the Ramallah and El-Bireh district, and Fatah’s Ramallah and El-Bireh branch.

Having grown up in an environment where his terrorist bothers are heralded as heroes, his mother is honored by the PA chairman and other senior officials, and his family is paid thousands of shekels every month by the PA, it is no wonder that Islam Abu Hmeid also chose the path of terrorism.

The following are longer excerpts of the articles mentioned above:

Headline: "The [PA] president: The prisoners' cause is a priority among the issues in which the leadership is interested"

"[PA] President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed a delegation of families of Martyrs (Shahids) and hunger striking prisoners from all districts of the homeland yesterday [April 28, 2017] at his presidential office in Ramallah.

The president emphasized that the leadership is in contact with all of the international parties in order to pressure the government of Israel to accede to the prisoners' just humanitarian demands.

The president noted that the prisoners' cause is a priority among the issues in which the leadership is interested. He called on everyone to stand alongside the prisoners and their just cause, and to ease their suffering and their families' suffering."

[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, April 29, 2017]

Posted text: “Fatah Central Committee member Abbas Zaki and his wife visited the Khansa of Palestine, mother of the heroic Martyrs and prisoners Um Nasser Abu Hmeid (i.e., mother of 6 terrorists), at her home in the Al-Amari refugee camp. [Zaki] blessed her for Eid Al-Fitr (Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan), and praised this mother... who paid the price of the homeland with the sacrifices her heroic sons made from a young age. The occupation destroyed their house five times, and several days ago announced the destruction [of the house again] after the arrest of her son Islam, who the occupation authorities accuse of killing Israeli soldier [Ronen Lyubarsky] from the Duvdevan [special forces] unit during the invasion of the refugee camp not long ago (Islam Abu Hmeid admitted to murdering Lyubarsky by throwing a marble slab at him -Ed.). This mother gave away her heroic Martyr son Abd Al-Mun’im (i.e., terrorist, planned and carried out murder of 1) in 1994. Her son commander Nasser Abu Hmeid (i.e., terrorist, murdered 7), who was sentenced to 7 life sentences, is still sitting behind bars and has served 21 years. His brother Nasr (i.e., terrorist, involved in two terror attacks) was sentenced to 5 life sentences; his brother Sharif (i.e., terrorist, involved in multiple attacks) was sentenced to 4 life sentences; and his brother Muhammad was sentenced to 3 (sic., 2) life sentences and another 30 years...

Zaki said that this mother is a crown on all of our heads, and that she is an example of the Palestinian mother, before whose willpower and determination we bow.”

Official PA TV reporter: “Good morning to our heroic prisoners, good morning to all of the mothers - the mothers of the Martyrs, the wounded, and the prisoners, the Palestinian mothers who have sacrificed their lives and serenity for the homeland and their sons. I’m in the Al-Amari refugee camp, and more precisely with the woman we are all proud of. A woman who is an example of giving and sacrifice, the Khansa of Palestine, the oak tree of Palestine, the mother of the Martyr and prisoners, Um Nasser Abu Hmeid... In addition, our viewers, with us is a woman who gives greatly, who is always at the front, and who participates with us and the members of our Palestinian people in all that bothers it in times of sadness and also in times of joy - Her Honor Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Dr. Laila Ghannam, good morning.”

Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam: “Good morning to you and to all of the viewers, a morning of pride, a morning of greatness, a morning of prisoners, a morning of Martyrs. We are always with this fighter, from whom we draw our determination and our strength. Allah willing she will always remain upright and a symbol of the Palestinian woman who is very generous...”

Reporter: “Six sons in the Israeli occupation’s prison; tell us about their sentences.”

Umm Nasser Abu Hmeid: “Nasser was sentenced to 7 life sentences and another 50 years; Nasr was sentenced to 5 life sentences; Sharif was sentenced to 4 life sentences; Muhammad was sentenced to 2 life sentences and another 30 years; Jihad is in administrative detention; and Islam - may Allah release his chains.”

Reporter: “Allah willing salvation will come, and of course may Allah wrap Abd Al-Mun’im (i.e., terrorist, responsible for murder of 1) in his mercy...”

Laila Ghannam: “We are always for every home of a fighter and against this terrorist collective punishment. Islam, according to [the Israelis], was in the recent incident (i.e., he confessed to murdering an Israeli soldier by throwing a marble slab at him during an Israeli operation to arrest terrorists). They always look at the response to the [Israeli] action and not at the action itself. What was this occupier doing in the Al-Amari refugee camp that night? If indeed there was a response, then it is a natural response by a young man who was defending his family, his land, his refugee camp... This is not the first time that the Abu Hmeid family home is being destroyed, and this terror is being applied against this family and against many other families. This [Israeli] government has lost its senses and gone crazy, and it is attempting to impose fear on the Palestinians in every way, but nothing will frighten the Palestinians who have been standing firm for over 70 years, because they believe that this is their land and that this is their homeland. If the Abu Hmeid home is sealed or destroyed, every [other] Palestinian home will take pride and honor in having this fighting woman live in it. All of our homes are her home...”

Reporter: “Let’s talk about the role of Palestinian women in the struggle. For many years Palestinian women have indeed been a symbol of giving. They have been fighters in the full sense of the word, Your Honor district governor...”

Laila Ghannam: “Since the outbreak of the revolution, Palestinian women have had a role in the revolution, in building, and in giving. They have also taken actions. They are not just wives, mothers, or sisters, but also Martyrs, prisoners, and those carrying out operations (i.e., terror attacks) against this enemy...”

Official PA TV host: “Um Nasser Abu Hmeid is indeed a legend thanks to this defiance and resolve, and therefore she has been nicknamed the Khansa of Palestine. She is a role model for every Palestinian woman.”

[Official PA TV, Holiday Morning, June 18, 2018]

Um Nasser Abu Hmeid (Um Yusuf Abu Hmeid/Latifa Abu Hmeid) - Palestinian woman who is famous and admired in the Palestinian Authority for being the mother of 4 terrorist prisoners serving multiple life sentences, another terrorist who admitted to murdering an Israeli soldier, and another terrorist son whom the PA refers to as a "Martyr." Abu Hmeid is also called Khansa of Palestine, a name that refers to the woman Al-Khansa in the earliest period of Islam who sent her four sons to battle and rejoiced when they all died as Martyrs. Abu Hmeid was honored by the PA in 2010 and in 2015, and was chosen in 2011 to launch the PA’s statehood campaign with the UN.

Her terrorist sons are: Islam Yusuf Abu Hmeid, who admitted to murdering 1 on May 24, 2018, and is awaiting trial (as of July 1, 2018); Muhammad Abu Hmeid, who is serving 2 life sentences and 30 years for involvement in terror attacks; Nasser Abu Hmeid, who is serving 7 life sentences and 50 years for murdering 7 Israeli civilians and 12 attempted murders; Nasr Abu Hmeid, who is serving 5 life sentences for involvement in two terror attacks in which 4 were murdered and arms dealing; Sharif Abu Hmeid, who is serving 4 life sentences for involvement in terror attacks in which 4 were murdered; Abd Al-Mun'im Muhammad Yusuf Naji Abu Hmeid, who murdered 1 on Feb. 13, 1994, and was killed by Israeli military undercover agents on May 31, 1994.